Ben Rothwell is concentrated on capturing the BKFC heavyweight championship, however sees some compelling potential fights on the horizon.
If all goes completely for Rothwell, he’ll defeat Todd Duffee on Saturday at BKFC: KnuckleMania 4 at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, then go on to problem the winner of the night time’s co-main occasion between champ Lorenzo Hunt and Mick Terrill.
As soon as that’s achieved, Rothwell, 42, mentioned he’ll assess the state of his profession.
“I feel if I am going out and carry out the best way I’ve been, I feel there’s an excellent probability I can get myself to a title shot,” Rothwell informed MMA Junkie Radio. “I’ve bought to get by way of Todd Duffee. That’s the very first thing, crucial factor – not simply get by way of him. I’ve bought to make it look it good, too.
“I can’t simply win the belt. I’ve to stay round and defend it. That’s the plan: Hold successful so long as my physique holds up.”
If Rothwell will get by way of the subsequent two fights and holds that BKFC belt, he mentioned it will be laborious to disregard the potential choices on the desk. He mentioned he’s heard rumblings of names like Roy Nelson, Cain Velasquez and even Mark Hunt as individuals who might be part of BKFC’s heavyweight division.
He thinks Hunt, who he suffered a unanimous determination loss in opposition to at UFC 135 in September 2011, is definitely the closest of the bunch to signing a BKFC contract.
If Hunt is in the end introduced in, Rothwell mentioned that’s the sort of struggle he thinks might be important traction to each himself and the BKFC model.
“Clearly, there’s a number of speak of Mark Hunt coming in,” Rothwell mentioned. “Some individuals are constructed totally different. He’s simply a particularly previous, powerful man who has harmful fists. … I hear issues that he desires to get a pair fights in earlier than he would struggle for the title. Then he’s bought his individuals like, ‘He will get the subsequent title struggle.’ With out preventing in BKFC but? He’s good at selling. He’s a reputation that brings eyes to him, and that’s all the time what’s interesting to BKFC is guys which have that following and struggle a sure means.
“Mark Hunt has all of that. (It might be a) large struggle for me although it will be a rematch. It’s a struggle I wish to get again.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for BKFC: KnuckleMania 4.
Make sure to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of fight sports activities.
